Clobazam Withdrawal and Detox
Clobazam Info
Clobazam belongs to the class of drugs called benzodiazepines and is marketed under brand names such as Urbanol, Frisium and Onfi. It is used to treat seizures, anxiety, and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS), which is a kind of epilepsy that usually features some form of intellectual impairment, in addition to different kinds of seizures. Clobazam has a lengthy half-life, meaning that it is long-acting and just as addictive as other benzodiazepines.
This medication is categorised as a Schedule 4 substance, meaning it has the risk of abuse but is also legal for practical medicinal usage. It can cause dependence and even addiction if you use it for a prolonged period of time (that is, using it every day over a three-month period or longer). If you become dependent or addicted, you will experience withdrawal when you quit Clobazam or begin to reduce your doses.
Treatment for dependence or addiction is crucial for your health and wellbeing and for those closest to you. For you to successfully undergo treatment, you will probably need to go through the detox phase first, which is intended to expunge all traces of Clobazam from your system. The best place to do so is in a detox clinic or treatment facility, where you’ll have all the necessary professional care to ensure safe withdrawal and detox.
What Is Clobazam Withdrawal?
If you use Clobazam in high doses for an extended period of time, there is a good chance you’ll develop tolerance. The higher your tolerance level, the higher the dosage you’ll need to feel the effects of the drug and the more dependent you’ll become. If you stop taking the medication when after you’ve become dependent, you will subsequently experience withdrawal, which is a cluster of uncomfortable and potentially very painful symptoms.
This medication is so powerful that you may be affected by withdrawal symptoms even if you’ve been using the drug as prescribed by a doctor. It’s for this reason that many physicians often hesitate to prescribe it for long-term use. However, you could be tempted to continue using it beyond the prescribed timeframe, as it tends to lose efficacy over time. Withdrawal symptoms may be physical or psychological in nature, as dependence can be either or both.
The withdrawal symptoms you experience may range between mild and severe. Some of the more serious effects of withdrawal include hallucinations, tremors, insomnia and seizures. The severity of your symptoms may depend on factors such how long you’ve been abusing the drug, the size of your doses, and your means of administration, amongst others. Withdrawal can be dangerous if not properly managed, which is why we always recommend medically supervised detox.
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Causes of Clobazam Withdrawal
Withdrawal begins with the effects of Clobazam on the brain and the consequence of prolonging those effects with long-term usage. This drug works by increasing GABA in the brain. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, sometimes referred to as the brain’s natural sedative. When the amount of this neurotransmitter is increased, it can help calm the brain activities that cause seizures and anxiety symptoms, but it also causes other changes in the brain as well.
Over time, your body begins to adjust to the presence of Clobazam and starts producing lower quantities of GABA. With less active GABA, the symptoms you’re trying to treat will return until you increase your dose. This cycle repeats itself until the drug stops working, even at the maximal dose. Because your body has become used to the presence of Clobazam, it will be difficult to return to its normal state after the drug is removed, which is why you experience withdrawal.
Suddenly discontinuing use of a substance your system has become dependent upon can send your body into panic mode, resulting in unpredictable and possibly severe symptoms that may not be easy to deal with. This is why doctors use techniques like tapering to ensure withdrawal is not too uncomfortable for the patient. You should never attempt to quit ‘cold turkey’ on your own.
Phases of Clobazam Withdrawal
Withdrawal may be classified into three primary phases; early, acute, and post-acute or protracted withdrawal. Early withdrawal may begin anytime from a few hours to days after quitting Clobazam. This particular phase might only last a few days, during which your brain may rebound in the absence of the drug, resulting in a return of insomnia or anxiety symptoms. In order to limit this effect, the tapering method is often used during medical detox.
The acute withdrawal follows, which makes up the bulk of the withdrawal period. You may experience a wide range of symptoms, including cravings, agitation, mood swings, trouble concentrating, seizures, hallucinations, diarrhoea, muscle spasms, panic, anxiety and insomnia, amongst others. During this phase, you could benefit most from certain medications, as well as support groups and therapy. Acute withdrawal may last as little as two or three weeks or as long as several months.
The final stage (protracted withdrawal) does not affect everyone, so you may not even experience it. If you do go through post-acute withdrawal (PAWS), you can expect to have to deal with withdrawal symptoms for several months or even years after your last dose. The symptoms during this phase are not as severe as those in the previous phase and may include mood swings, depression, prolonged insomnia and anxiety, muscle twitches, and tingling in your arm and legs.
Clobazam Withdrawal Symptoms: What to Expect
It’s difficult to determine the exact symptoms you’ll experience and how severe they might be, but there is a wide range of possibilities. It’s important to be careful when withdrawing from Clobazam because withdrawal effects can lead to serious medical complications. You can expect some of your symptoms to resemble those for which you were originally prescribed Clobazam.
Since this medication has a long half-life, the onset of withdrawal symptoms may be delayed for up to three weeks. When they do come to the fore, such symptoms can be psychologically and physically challenging. They could even be life-threatening if you abruptly stop using the medication. If you’ve been using Clobazam for an extended period of time or taking particularly high doses, you could well experience particularly severe withdrawal symptoms.
Some of the symptoms of withdrawal include rebound insomnia and anxiety, irritability, seizures, hallucinations, headaches, dizziness, nausea, panic attacks, and sweating. Even if you didn’t have any previous signs of general anxiety before you started using Clobazam, you might still experience this during withdrawal. The same can be said for insomnia.
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Timeline of Clobazam Withdrawal
There is no universal timeline that can tell you precisely how long you’ll have to undergo withdrawal, purely because this differs from one person to the next. Your pattern of usage is likely to be different as well, given the way your body works. However, we can provide a general guideline based on estimations:
First four to five days: During this time, you can expect the first signs of withdrawal to emerge (which are typically insomnia and anxiety). The onset of withdrawal may be delayed for up to three weeks, due to the long-acting nature of this medication.
First few weeks after the last dose: During this time, rebound insomnia and anxiety may peak, so you can expect to experience increased discomfort from both. There are other symptoms which may peak during this period, including nausea, sweating, and increased heart and respiratory rate. Your symptoms may fade away after about two weeks or less.
After the first five weeks: At this stage, you might begin to experience post-acute withdrawal symptoms, even long after quitting. This could last for months or years but can be prevented if you taper down with the help of a doctor.
What is Clobazam Detoxification?
Detoxification is the process by which the drug toxins in your system are completely flushed out. It is usually the first step of a treatment programme but does not address the complex behavioural issues, psychological addiction, social factors, and precedents of addiction. However, removing Clobazam from your system is important before further treatment can be carried out.
Detox is a delicate process, especially when dealing with such a powerful benzodiazepine. If not applied properly, it could lead to dangerous side effects. It can even be lethal if you quit ‘cold turkey’ without having some form of medical supervision. You could experience suicidal thoughts or a grand mal seizure during withdrawal (both of which can both be very problematic).
The best way to detox is via medical detox, as it helps you to remain healthy and safe during recovery. It also helps to lessen the discomfort of withdrawal, which plays a crucial role in reducing your chances of relapsing. There are different ways to detox and it may take only a few weeks or a couple of months before Clobazam is completely out of your system.
Clobazam Detox Process
The detoxification process is generally comprised of three steps, which you must go through before you can transition to a recovery plan. The first step is an evaluation, which is crucial if an effective plan for treatment is to be put together. During the evaluation, the physician’s goal is to determine any complications or conditions that may be co-occurring with your Clobazam problem, as well as identify your level of usage and medical history.
Stabilisation then follows, which is a process via which you begin withdrawal. The aim at this stage is for you to reach a point where you’re free of drugs. Your treatment team may prescribe medications to help with withdrawal, especially if you’ve been a heavy user. Once you have attained a balanced state and your thoughts become stabilised, you can then begin to fully recognise and acknowledge your addiction.
The final phase focuses on you transitioning smoothly into further treatment, which is essential for increasing your chances of successful recovery. The emphasis will be on commitment to abstinence and addiction education.
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Home Detox
We understand that it can be tempting to begin the process of detox on your own, especially if you want to beat your addiction as soon as possible, but quitting ‘cold turkey’ without medical assistance is never a good idea. You want to become abstinent quickly – which is fantastic – but it’s important to do it right, so you don’t end up suffering dangerous complications.
There is also the risk of relapse. Withdrawal is not something you can rush, because it can be unpredictable. There is the possibility of experiencing seizures and you might encounter rebound insomnia or anxiety, which could prove too intense to handle.
The most successful way to negotiate withdrawal without experiencing negative side effects is to slowly taper off Clobazam under medical supervision. A physician can place you on a tapering schedule, based on any specific physiological or genetic factors, your level of dependence, as well as your method and pattern of usage. You won’t have to wait too long before starting medical detox.
Why Detoxification at Home can be Harmful
If you attempt to detox at home on your own, you may be exposing yourself to the danger of serious health complications during withdrawal. Some of those symptoms could include relapse, Delirium Tremens, seizures, psychosis, panic attacks, hallucinations, heart palpitations, and digestive discomfort, amongst others. These symptoms can be very unpredictable and may even prove fatal if you don’t have the necessary medical help.
While it might seem easy and inexpensive to detox at home, it could actually turn out to be more expensive and painful than seeking treatment outright, as it can lead to serious health issues which will subsequently require attention. Without the relevant medical assistance, withdrawal could be severe and result in physical or mental complications, including relapse or even overdose.
Please ignore drug detox kits, as they can be very dangerous. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for addiction because it has to be tailored according to your specific needs. It’s, therefore, best to avoid following any self-supervised treatments from websites or anywhere else, as their suggestions could end up compounding your problem.
Medically Supervised Clobazam Withdrawal Detox
Medical detox is the best way to ‘get clean’ because you’ll get all the professional medical help you need to get through withdrawal safely. You will be constantly monitored throughout detox, so the chances of complications arising are minimal. Also, the withdrawal will be much less painful, because you will likely be prescribed medications to lessen some of the effects of withdrawal.
The most commonly used method employed in medical detox is tapering. Typically, you’ll be placed on a tapering schedule, during which your doses will be gradually reduced over a period of time. Another way is to replace Clobazam entirely with a different medication, so your body’s supply of the drug is not forcefully curtailed. Over time, you will duly take smaller doses of the new drug.
The severity of your addiction is one of the most important factors for determining the most effective method to use. The goal is to reduce the severity of withdrawal effects as much as possible. Tapering down typically takes an average of about 10 weeks before detox is complete.
Medications Used During Clobazam Detox
Though tapering is the most successful way to safely detox, your physician may prescribe medications during this period to help provide relief from withdrawal symptoms. There are a number of medications that may be used, depending on what symptoms are being treated.
One drug that might be prescribed is Buspirone, which may be the preferred choice if you have a history of substance abuse, as well as a generalised anxiety disorder. This can help with the emotional symptoms of withdrawal but doesn’t cause physical dependence.
Another substance of choice might be Flumazenil, which can successfully reduce the effects of withdrawal from a long-acting benzodiazepine like Clobazam. It’s useful because it attaches to the same pleasure centres in the brain as the substance to which you are addicted, helping to relieve withdrawal symptoms and block the effects of the drug at the same time.
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Treatment for Withdrawal
The best setting to receive treatment for withdrawal is typically an inpatient treatment centre or detox clinic. Such settings incorporate detox protocols, which we recommend, particularly if you’ve been using Clobazam alongside alcohol; are elderly, or have been taking high doses on a daily basis.
A detox clinic is a medically supervised facility where you or your loved one can be given medication to help with withdrawal symptoms, whilst under professional supervision to ensure a safe detox. In residential rehab, you can undergo detox, as well as ongoing addiction treatment.
There are also Partial Hospitalisation Programmes you can attend for roughly six hours a day, five days per week. They typically include counselling sessions in addition to detox. It’s also possible to get treatment for withdrawal on an outpatient basis, via your doctor’s office. You may have to check in with your doctor at pre-arranged intervals, so they can monitor your progress.
Withdrawing from Clobazam: Treatment Methods and Options
If you are dependent on Clobazam, you’ll experience withdrawal when you quit and require withdrawal management under medical supervision to ensure successful detox. This refers to the psychological and medical care you receive when undergoing withdrawal after reducing your Clobazam intake or ceasing use entirely.
Withdrawal management is necessary, as it provides treatment in a way that lessens the discomfort that accompanies withdrawal. There are different methods and options that may be used to ensure safe withdrawal, depending on your level of dependency, amongst other factors.
Medically assisted detoxification is an effective way of treating withdrawal and involves the application of medication to eliminate or ease symptoms. It may be carried out in an outpatient setting, but is more effective when undertaken in an inpatient facility. Tapering is one method that can be used, while another is rapid detox (or RDD).
Drug treatment for withdrawal
Drugs are commonly used during detox to ease the symptoms of withdrawal. Even when you are on a tapering schedule, you could be given medications to help provide relief from such symptoms.
The medications could be used as a replacement for Clobazam, as you are weaned off the drug. Alternatively, they may be used to manage your symptoms. For nausea and vomiting, you might be given Ondansetron. To maintain normal blood pressure during withdrawal, clonidine can also be prescribed if necessary.
Other possibilities include beta-blockers for tremors and other physical symptoms; anticonvulsants if you have a history of multiple seizures; and SSRI antidepressants for anxiety. You could be given flumazenil, which has been effective for reducing the effects of withdrawing from long-acting benzodiazepines. Another widely-used medication is buspirone, which could be appropriate if you have a generalised anxiety disorder in addition to a history of abusing drugs.
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Live an abstinent life Again
You may feel miserable now if you’re an addict, but it is possible to leave all that behind and live a better life. To do so, you’ll have to go through treatment, as this is the only way to eliminate the reasons for your substance dependency.
You might even have tried quitting in the past and were unable to, but that does not mean your case is hopeless. With the right guidance, you can successfully negotiate treatment and live a drug-free life again for your own sake and that of your loved ones.
The process begins with recognising your drug problem and admitting to yourself that there need to be major changes in your life. Once you can do this, you can then take the necessary steps to recover.
Preventing relapse
Relapse is a distinct possibility in the weeks, months, or even years that follow treatment. Therefore, it is important to guard against it, so as not to set yourself back. You’ll have to do your best to fend off relapse because there’s nothing that can guarantee immunity from it.
Firstly, you need to identify potential triggers and do your utmost to avoid them. It helps to live within the boundaries of a schedule by following a set routine. It may not sound like fun, but it can go a long way to help. Also, ensure you can constantly access support by staying in touch with your loved ones and getting involved with support groups.
Relapse prevention may be included as part of treatment therapy sessions, which is important, as it can help you deal with any high-risk situations that could result in relapse. You’ll learn how to get through cravings and manage stress to increase your chances of successfully preventing relapse.
Tips for Handling Cravings
Cravings refer to the strong urges (to use Clobazam) felt when you first try to stop using the drug. However, they may last for many weeks or months. It’s even possible to experience cravings intermittently, years after you stopped taking Clobazam. They are a normal aspect of withdrawal and can feel uncomfortable, but cravings can be managed.
You’ll need to fully commit to recovery so that returning to use Clobazam is not an option for you, whatever the circumstances. You must remember that cravings don’t last forever and will fade in time, as long as you hang in there.
You can manage your cravings by knowing and avoiding your triggers, accepting (and not fighting) the cravings when they come, and using healthy distractions. It’s also important to find a sense of purpose, seek support from family and support groups, and get proactive about creating new habits.
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Find a treatment centre
There are many detox centres and addiction treatment facilities across the United Kingdom, so you can always find one that is perfectly suited to your needs. However, it isn’t easy to find the treatment centre that is exactly the right fit for you, amongst all those options.
There are a number of factors to be considered if you’re to the best possible treatment facility for you or your loved one. You’ll need to consider the staff-to-patient ratio, the cost, credentials and experience of the staff, amenities available, treatment approaches, and so on.
FAQs
How Long Does Clobazam Withdrawal Last?
Given that Clobazam is a long-acting benzodiazepine, withdrawal may begin later than that of a drug with a shorter half-life. You may begin to experience withdrawal symptoms anywhere between 24 to 48 hours (maybe longer) after cessation of usage. In the days following the onset of withdrawal, your symptoms could become more intense over time and reach a peak, before they begin to subside.
Acute withdrawal may last anywhere from two to five weeks, while protracted withdrawal may stretch for months or years. The duration of withdrawal may differ, depending on a number of factors. Some of these symptoms may include how long you’ve been abusing the drug, the dosage quantity, how frequently your usage, method of use, and the nature of any co-occurring mental or physical conditions.
Are There any Home Remedies for ‘Getting Clean’ Safely?
It can be dangerous to attempt to self-detox at home without medical assistance, as the symptoms of withdrawal could be too much for you to handle on your own. Some of the serious effects of withdrawal include rebound anxiety, insomnia, and seizures, amongst other symptoms.
How Long Does It Take to Detox from Clobazam?
The length of time it takes to completely detox from this drug depends on a number of factors, including your natural metabolic rate, the presence of any mental or physical co-occurring conditions, how long you’ve been using Clobazam, as well as the method of detox.
If you are tapered off the drug (which is the most effective way of detoxing), it may take an average of 10 months for you to detox completely. Tapering involves weaning you off Clobazam by gradually reducing your doses until you don’t need the drug anymore.
Can You Die from Clobazam Withdrawal?
Though rare, it is actually possible for withdrawal to prove fatal. This could happen if suicidal thoughts become very intense and are acted out. The whole process is more severe when you don’t have any form of supervision as you go through detox.
Also, it is possible to suffer serious complications during withdrawal, such as an overdose, resulting from relapse. This can be deadly and your chances of overdosing can are even higher if you consume alcohol or other central nervous system depressants during withdrawal.
What Is Clobazam Withdrawal?
Clobazam withdrawal occurs when you drastically reduce your dosage or completely stop using it after you’ve become dependent. When your system becomes dependent on any substance, it means it cannot function effectively without it. If you take the drug in high doses for an extended period of time, you may develop a tolerance to it. The stronger your tolerance, the higher the doses you’ll need to feel the desired effects.
Withdrawal symptoms emerge when you stop taking Clobazam. It doesn’t matter whether you were using it as prescribed or not, because withdrawal can affect anyone. It’s for this reason that doctors are reluctant to prescribe Clobazam for long-term use.
Is Clobazam Withdrawal Dangerous?
Withdrawal can be dangerous, especially if you are heavily dependent on this medication or have a pre-existing health issue. Among the most problematic symptoms of Clobazam withdrawal are seizures and psychosis. In particular, seizures can be progressive and potentially lethal if left unmanaged.
If you opt to quit on your own ‘cold turkey’ fashion, without any medical assistance, you could be putting your health in serious danger. Quitting abruptly may cause a rebound effect, resulting in even worse insomnia or anxiety than before you started using Clobazam. In order to get relief from your symptoms, you might even consider relapsing. This, in turn, could lead to overdosing, which can be particularly dangerous.
Can I Find Help?
Absolutely. The best place to receive detox and withdrawal treatment is a detox clinic or inpatient treatment facility, where you’ll have all the professional help you’ll need. You’ll enjoy the benefit of proper treatment, using medications that are effective for withdrawal management.
You can receive treatment on an inpatient or outpatient basis, depending on what works best for you. If you’ve already started detoxing on your own, you can still receive help with withdrawal treatment in order to prevent any complications or other problems.
Are there ways to prevent or reduce withdrawal symptoms?
Yes, there are. One of the most effective methods of detox is tapering, which involves weaning you off Clobazam by gradually reducing your doses, using a predetermined schedule. This is undertaken in order to minimise the effects of withdrawal.
Another detox method involves replacing Clobazam with another medication, whilst you detox. This is also applied to reduce the effects of withdrawal. If there are any withdrawal symptoms that manifest – even as you detox using any of these methods – they can be taken care of with the help of the relevant medication.
Can Medications Help?
Yes, medications can be a great help for managing withdrawal. They can be used in a number of ways, but the goal is to make withdrawal as safe and comfortable as possible. Medication can be used as a replacement for Clobazam, so you can detox with reduced withdrawal effects.
Drugs can also be used during withdrawal to treat symptoms directly. For instance, clonidine may be applied to maintain normal blood pressure; ondansetron can be used for nausea and vomiting, and SSRI antidepressants utilised for anxiety.
Resources
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